POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10541, 15 September 1899, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Br Tz-JtomArH.]

(WtOU 0178 BMCIAL CORBESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, September 14.

THE "HANSARD" STAFF.

During the discussion oh the Estimates considerable comment was made by Mr Morrison on tho fact that Mr Grattan Grey, chief of the "Han-' sard" staff, had written an article on a New Zealand political matter for an American journal, and members also referred to the question of the "Hansard"'staff doing newspaper work during tho recess. The matter was consid-red by the Reporting and Debates Committee, which has now reparted on tha subject. The Committee had been unable to obtain a copy "of the article contributed to the "Netr York Times," which Mr Morrison quoted, but Mr Grattan Grey admitted that it was published in that journal over his name, but stated that his official designation was not attached to ft. The terms of Mr Grey's appointment expressly accord him liberty, after the completion of "Hansard" each session to take outside work. The ComI mittee recommends that in future members jof the "Hansard" staff should not Actively j participate in New Zealand politics by | writing articles for publication or otherwise, I although it sees no objection to members of the staff being employed in reporting < r literary work when not required to attend to their Parliamentary duties. THE WORK OF THE OPPOSITION. One of the most remarkable features of the preaant session is the extraordinary success of the Opposition in altering the main principles of several important Bilk brought in by tho Gov-nmHS-t. The Lamds for Settlement Act A_ne_d_nenit Bill was practically converted by the Opposition into a new measure, and when tho Local Government Voting Reform Bill emerged from Committee, it bore few resemblance- to tho original Bill. In view of these facts there is much truth in Mr Taylor's statementr that the Opposition and not <he -kj-ernment are carrying on the legislation of the colony. Tho Premier very naturally does not relish such assertions, and last night, after stating the concessions he was ready to make, he declared that he would not allow himself to be driven any further. He said Ma opponents would be savins in the recess that he had run away from his BiWs, and that the Opposition had conducted the business of thih-country. Mr Taylor—"That is just what they wiH say, and unfortunately it is true." LABOUR LEGISLATION. In the Legislative Council there was a sharp dispute on tho .Factory Bill and Labour Bills generally. The Hon. Mr McLean and the Hon. J. MacGregor being pretty free in their comments on the Labour Department and Labour legislation. 'Mr MacGregor pointed out that most of the time of the Council was taken up with Labour Bills, and that no attention was paid to the wants of other classes. He suggested that as. the trade unionists seem to think that the only duty of the Council with regard to Labour "Bills is to pass them, the Government should bring down a modern "lex hortensia" giving to the resolutions of trade organisations the effect of law.

CABLE NEWS.